Acupuncture can be used for both acute and chronic disease and for patients of all ages. Acupuncture allows the body to function better and also can be used to relax, rejuvenate and maintain health.

Acupuncture: An Effective Solution

Acupuncture is one of the oldest continually practiced forms of medicine in the world. It is one of the most researched medical disciplines to date. Western medical doctors recommend acupuncture as it has been used over 3,000 years. Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of thin, sterile, nontoxic needles into the surface of the skin. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of qi, a bioelectrical force, in your body. This flow of qi helps to relieve stagnation of qi and blood, which is believed to be the chief cause of disease or pain in Chinese medicine theory. The insertion of the needles, which can range in sensation from mild to unnoticed, helps to restore balance in the body by enhancing energy flow and encouraging balance among organ systems.

Most patients who experience acupuncture get a sense of calm and wellbeing as acupuncture tends to cause a release of endorphins in the brain. While acupuncture can be used for many health conditions and especially for prevention of disease, it is well known for use in the Western world for conditions such as insomnia, arthritis, tendonitis, PMS, fatigue, asthma, allergies, menopause, infertility, pain, indigestion, depression and anxiety.

The total number and frequency of acupuncture treatments varies depending on the condition. For more acute conditions, a sprained ankle for example, often just 1 or two treatments quickly after the injury is enough to quickly stimulate healing and relieve pain. In a chronic condition, like low back pain, it may take 6-8 weekly treatments to get sustained benefit. In general, I recommend folks plan to have 6-8 sessions before assessing if acupuncture will be helpful for them or not. In my experience, however, people tend to notice benefit within a few treatments and by the end of an 8 treatment session, most people notice a long-term benefit.